Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding the criteria used to determine whether a young sex offender should remain at school, given the lack of a reliable predictor tool for reoffending. The Minister confirms awareness of the lack of a predictor tool and states the Department of Education is responsible for the decision.

AnsweredQoN 354Legislative Council
Asked
10 April 2019
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

CHILD PROTECTION —
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE — ROEBOURNE
354. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's
response to question without notice 66 on 20 February 2019, in which the minister
reported that for cases of young people who are sex offenders attending school,
''assessments are based on what is best for the school community and the
individual young people''.
(1) Is the
minister aware that the multi-agency protocols for education options for young
people charged with harmful sexual behaviours state that there is no actual
predictor tool to assess young people and their risk of reoffending?
(2) What set of
criteria is used to determine whether allowing a sex offender to remain at school
is in the best interests of that school community?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) As outlined
in the multi-agency protocol, the decision regarding whether a young person
charged with harmful sexual behaviours returns to school is the responsibility
of the Department of Education. The Department of Communities supports all
agencies subject to this protocol and provides information and advice to inform
any decisions.

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